Well written article. I know it is a rough and tumble sport. For mr. Collie,
taking so many hits at such a young age and especially when it is the head. I
Hope this settlement helps but Hope they find and develop better helmets etc.
Football is about as american as Apple pie.

The problem stems from the fact that little boys are taught by their fathers
(mostly) to worship the sport. They see that Dad loves the game by never missing
a single one when "his" team is playing.

These fathers drive
their kids to become what they (fathers) never were. The pressure is intense
because there is nothing that boys would rather do in life than please their
male parents.

Sure, now all the diehard fans who read this comment
will quickly write their own diatribe stating that their fathers could not care
less and that all their drive to be "great" was from within
themselves.

Maybe there are such examples, but no matter. The great
majority, including Austin Collie, had a fanatic father who surely gave
unforgettable and undeniable verbal and nonverbal praise in each game where they
played well and unbearable and equally unforgettable derision when they did
poorly.

It's a fact that these young men would rather die
fighting with everything they have to win. Vince Lombardi described exactly what
they feel inside themselves; "Winning isn't everything; it's the
only thing!"

Balderdash! Just ask Jim McMahon and the rest
whether they believe the lie now.

I don't think blaming a so called
'fanatic' father is fair. These guys are adults and can make their own
decisions. Austin is a heck of a player and still has a lot to offer. If he
believes he can still play and is cleared medically, then more power to him.

yeah sure, let's blame their fathers. By your
reasoning these men must have been lied to by someone, in this case a father,
and now they can't make decisions of their own accord.

I see
it a lot of today's problems coming from the fact that no one can accept
responsibility for their own actions. Why do we continually sue each other? In
many cases it's solely because we can't admit that we were too stupid
to take precautions for our own safety. I Disagree that the NFL was negligent
in telling these men that there were dangers in the game. Anyone watching a
football game knows there is risk of both immediate and future physical damage.

I think these guys who play football KNOW the risks for head injuries. Just
look at the development of the helmets that went from leather covers to what
they are today. You can't tell me no one knew of the dangers. But, to put
things into perspective, look at how many people have played the game and have
no problems, a perfect example is Steve Young. He had it seems like a
concussion every game and he retired and is still doing well. Austin's
problem with his concussions is he lowered his head each time when he got hit.
If he learned to keep his head up, he will do fine!

Most people are not fortunate enough
to do something they love so much. If we are all going to die anyway, it seems
going out doing what you have a passion for is better than wasting away in
mediocre monotony playing it safe.

Robinson seems to making the accusation that Collie is just some naive idiot who
is in denial about the risks he's taking. The fact is he consulted with
Neurologists and doctors who have all told him he's fine...for now.
I'm sure he fully understands the risks he's taking by playing again
as should any other player in the NFL who suits up for a game. But I don't
think he was waived because his concussion history otherwise they wouldn't
have signed and kept Colt McCoy on the team.

Our worship of football is not limited to the NFL. Starting with the fact the
Utah football coach gets paid so much more than anyone else at the University.
What messages are we sending the players in college and even high school. If
football is hazardous to their health why don't the players and parents
know about it.

Why is it no one reminds Jim McMahon that he used to headbutt his Chicago
teammates as hard as possible after touchdowns and sometimes headbutt them after
great defensive plays without having his helmet on? He took pride in being so
tough. Those activities had nothing to do with playing the game, it was his own
stupidity.

I have liked watching football in the past but I'm changing my tune. I
never played but have watched my dad and uncle (pro player in the 60s) decline.
Now my 8 year old son is asking to play tackle football. The ONLY response I
can resonably give him is No, you need to grow up and be able to function as a
father and to provide for your family. If he is hurt young that could affect
his ability to get into college and to succeed there and in a future career. As
far as I'm concerned the 'responsible' Universities in the
country should stop sponsoring football. I'd think that the Ivy League
schools would lead the way. And BYU should be leading as well. That would take
serious courage but what a statement that would make "we're dropping
full contact football and other full contact sports because of possible head
injury in our students". It would be amazing! Let's make this happen.

Even if Collie knows he could become the worst case scenario late in life, he
might very well choose to play (Mcmahon likely would to, for that matter). And
even if you think you are saving him from himself it is unbelievable how some of
you would gladly take away his choice as though you are his self-proclaimed
savior. He might as well be a vegetable now for the rest of his days, if he
agrees with all the possible risks of living life more fully than a couch potato
life. Better yet, given the many ways that all of you could hurt yourselves in
this world, why not pay me to take that all away from you so you can live in the
bubble I provide you?